Descaling and edging apparatus



Aug. 27, 1935. K. c. GARDNER ET AL DESGALING AND EDGING APPARATUS FiledMarch 8, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'ILM ATTORNEYS l vlrarusssm Aug. 27,1935.

K. C. -GARDNER El AL DESCALING AND EDGING APPARATUS Filed MarohB, 1935WITNESSES MMI/L,

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @@@QQQQQ mww? INVENTORS Mmwyw ATTORNEYS Aug. 27, 1935.

K. c. GARDNER ET AL 2,012,849

DESCALING AND EDGING APPARATUS Filed March 8, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS A'rrgnu EYs Patented Aug. 27,V 1935 I DESCALING AND EDGINGAPPARATUS Kirtland C.Gardner, Coraopolis, and Florence C. Biggert, Jr.,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to United Engineering & Foundry Company,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 8,1933, Serial No. 660,040

21 Claims.

Our invention relates to descaling and edging apparatus that is adaptedparticularly for application to relatively wide metal Aplates forbreaking or removing scale `that has formed thereon 5 and simultaneouslytherewithA straightening the edges of the plates.

When plates or slabs have been subjected to a spreading pass in arolling mill, it is necessary to break the scale on the plates beforeflat rolling of v the latter is undertaken, and it is also necessary tostraighten the edges which have become irregular during ,the spreadingpass. When the plates are comparatively narrow the latter may bedescaled in a satisfactory manner by subject- 1 5 ing them to a heavyedging pass either by horizontal or vertical edgers.

This method of operation has been found to be satisfactory on platessuch, for example, as those having a thickness ofi'three inches and a 0Width of as much as twenty-four inches. It has been found also that morehighly satisfactory results were secured with rolls of large diameterthan with` rolls of relatively' small diameter.

However, space requirements have been a limiting factor in the directionof increasing the size of the rolls. t

When relatively wide plates or slabs were rolled with the largestpracticable edging rolls, the descaling effect did not reach to thecenter of the plates. The limited descaling effect of these rolls is dueto the fact that the compressive forces 0f the rolls were distributedlengthwise of the plates to such extent that the latter were notsufficiently compressed except ,for a comparatively narrow portion alongtheir edges. Accordingly, the eld of operations for descaling plates bymeans of rolls has been limited to plates of comparatively narrow widthbecause of the impossibility of extending the compressive effect to thecenterI of relatively wide plates.

It has also been proposed 'to squeeze the plates by the use of a presshaving rams or press heads with at surfaces at right angles to the sidesof vthe plates and applying suficiently heavy presand at the same timeto impart substantially plane surfaces to the edges thereof. The flatsurfaces of the press heads are simply portions of 'a-.roll of infinitediameter. While this process sure required is relatively great and theprocess -is accordingly either comparatively slow in operation or is`relatively expensive because of the 55 excessive power requirements'.-

sure to descale the entire surfaces of the plates has been satisfactoryinsofar as concerns removing scalefrom plates of great width, the pres-We propose to secure the beneficial effects of a press and at the sametime retain the benets of the rolling'operation for descaling and edgingplates of relatively great width. We have found that satisfactorycompressive effects for the re- 5 moval of scale may be caused to extendto the center of plates of comparatively great width by the use of rollsof very large diameter. However, rolls of the necessary size forsecuring these results would occupy an amount of space that would behighly excessive and in additionv the rolls would require an enormousamount of material, and' the cost of an installation using completerolls of the character described above would be prohibitive. y

In accordance with the present invention We provide rolling membershaving surfaces for engaging the edges of plates that have a curvaturecorresponding to that of portions of surfaces of cylinders of very largediameter. These rolling members, which may be of relatively small depth'from their' curved surfaces, are caused to roll the edges of the plates.in substantially the same manner as though these rolling memberswereme'rely parts of complete rolls.

The rolling members are caused to simulate the operation of rolling bycylinders of the size corresponding to the curvature of their rollingsurfaces by .means of mechanical movements which cause the rollingmembers to progressively roll the edges ofthe plates, the arc of thecontacting surfaces therebetween being sufliciehtly great by reason ofthe curvature of the rolling members that the compressive effectsthereof extend to the center of the plates with the result that therlatter are entirely descaled as well as l provided with plane surfacesalong their edges.

It has been found also that compressive effects suilicient for descalingmay be caused to extend to the center of the plates if the length of thecontact surface between the rolling members and the plates at leastequals one-half the width of the plate. With rolling members of the caracter described above, we secure the advant ges -of an arc of contactsurfaces of suiiicient length to produce the desired descalingeffect,but the time of operation and power requirements for. a progressiverolling operation are much lower than for a press using heads havingflat engaging surfaces.

The details of our invention will be described in connection. -with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatusconstructed in accordance withv our invention; Fig. 2

is aview in longitudinal vertical section taken on line II-II oi Fig. 1of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view partially in end elevationand partially in section along the line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is aView in transverse vertical section taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1; Fig.5 is a diagrammatic view of the rolling membersand certain apparatusassociated therewith; Figs. 6, '7 8 and 9 are diagrammatic viewsillustrating -the various positions of the rolling members during theprocess of rolling the edges of a plate; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic viewof a modified form of apparatus; and Fig. 11 is a similar view. of afurther modiflcation.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, apparatus constructed inaccordance with our invention comprises a housing I of suitablestructural framework 'that is provided transversely of its centralportion with a series of power-driven rollers 2 for conveying plates orslabs into the apparatus and for supporting them during the process ofrolling their edges. Above'the rollers 2 is a series of rollers 3 whichcooperate with the rollers 2 in guiding the plates into and out ofoperative position. The rollers 3 also prevent buckling of the centralportion of the plates while the latter are being rolled to descale andedge them.

At each side of the rollers 2 and 3 are two rolling members 4 and 5having curvedlportions 6 and 'I, respectively, that are substantiallyportions of surfaces of cylinders of very large diameter. The curvatureof the surfaces 6 and 'I corresponds substantially to that of an arc ofa circle having a diameter, by Way of example but without limitationthereto, of about 160 feet, which is suitable for rolling plates as wideas seven and a half feet. Each of the members 4 and 5 is actuated by amechanism comprising an.

electric motor 9, a worm I0, worm gears II on opposite sides thereofeach of which is rotatable with two superposed pinions I2 that engagespaced upper and lower gears I3 and I4, respectively. 1

Each pair of these double gears is connected to` a crank pin I5 disposedbetweenthem and which is connected by an arm or link I 6 to one end ofone of the members 4 and 5. Longitudinal movement of each member 4 and 5is prevented by a link I8 having a pivotalconnection at one end tothemember 4 or 5, as the case may be, and at the other end to astationary member I9. This connection permits oscillation or rocking ofthe members 4 and 5, but substantially prevents longitudinal movement ofthe rolling members 4 and l The actuating mechanisms for the respectivelmembers 4 and 5 are caused to operate in synchronism by the provision ofany well known or usualy mechanism. By way of example, we haveAprovided-that an electric' synchronizing machine 20 is mechanicallyconnected to each of the motors 9,the machines 20 being electricallyconnected to each other or to the source of power in a well knownmanner. It will be appreciated,

also, that instead of two motors 9 with theirl associated synchronizingapparatus, we. may employ a single electric motor or other motor byproviding suitable mechanical connections between the actuating means ofthe rocking orl rolling members 4 and 5.

In order to adaptA the apparatus for rolling the vedges of plates ofvarious widths, the gear mechanism Vfor operation of each of the rollingmembers 4 and 5 is mounted in a frame 22 extending transversely of thehousing I, and that is adjustable longitudinally of the frame of thehousing I whereby the members 4 and 5 are caused to roll alongrespective parallel straight lines that are closer together orfartherapart. depending upon the adjustment of the frames 22 with respect toeach other.

The frames 22 areeach adjusted by means'of A vfour screw-threaded shafts23 adjacent the respective corners of the frame and that 'are mounted instationary screw-threaded members 24. The shafts 23 are simultaneouslyrotated by means of a.motor 25, a shaft 26 having two worms 21 thereon,a worm gear 28 driven by each worm 21 and a pinion 29 connected to eachworm gear the rollers for plates of various. thicknesses, by

neans of vertical screw-threaded rods 32 that are simultaneouslyadjusted vertically by means of gears 33 screw-threaded on the rods 32and a motor 34 and a shaft 35 having a worm 33 at each end thereof foractuating each gear 33 on av screw-threaded rodi 32.

As best shown in Figs. 1,2 and 5, the members 4 and 5 are each thickerthan the plates to be rolled by them. While the members 4 and 5 may beof a single material, it is preferred that they be provided with a faceportion 31 of steel or alloy of higher grade than the supporting orbacking portion 38.

The face portion 31 is provided with a. series of steps 39, 40 and 4I inits outer surface, the lower step 4I being at. the level of the uppersurfaces of the rollers 2 and forming a ledge which supports the outeredges of the plates to be descaled and edged at they portions beingrolled. The shape of the rolling members 4 and 5, other than theircurved surfaces 6 and 'I may be such as desired to provide sulcientdepth and cross-sectional area4 to resist the stresses applied theretoAduring the rolling operation. By way of example, the rolling membersare illustrated as of somewhat oval shape.

In the operation of the apparatus ldescribed above, it may be assumedthat a plate 42 has been actuated into position to be rolled asillustrated in Figs- 1, 2 and 4. The rollers 3 will be in position toguide the movement of the plate into 1 operative position and to preventits buckling when under pressure `of the rolling members. It may beassumed also that the members 4 and 5 and the actuating mechanismtherefor occupy substantially the positions shown diagrammatically inFig. 5 prior to the beginning of the rolling operation.

It will be noted that the cranks I5 connected to the memberA occupydif/ferent angular positions The respective cranks I5 connected to themember 5 occupy positions that are symmetrical with thcse of the cranksconnected to the member 4. 'I'he motors 9 actuate the cranks I5 con- Iconnected to the same nected to each member in opposite directions, andif the directions of rotationare those indicated by arrows in Fig. 5,the positions of the members 4 and 5 will be that shown in Fig. 6 wheneach. of the cranks has operated through an angle of about 45. The plate42 is engaged at one end and'on opposite sides thereof by the rollingsurfaces of the respective members 4 and 5.

The continued rotation of the cranks I5 causes the members 4 and 5 torock or roll upon the plate 42, the intermediate positions of therolling members 4 and 5 during such action being shown in Fig. 7. Whenthe members 4 and 5 occupy thesepositions, it will be noted that thecranks member occupy similar angular positions and thepositions of thecranks connected to the respective members are symmetrical with eachother.

Continued rotation o f the cranks causes themembers 4 and 5 to roll totheir .extreme positions as illustrated inFig. 8 to complete the rollingof the plate 42. Further rotation' of the cranks inl the same directionswill bring the members 4 and 5 to the position shown inFig. 9 whereinthe4 plate 42 is released thereby. The rollers 2 may then be rotated toremove the finished plate from the machine and a new plate may beinserted between the rolling members 4 and 5.

While the cranks connected toeach member have been shown and describedas rotating in opposite directions; substantially similar results may besecured by rotating the cranks connected to the same member in the samedirection. This direction may, however, be opposite for the respectivemembers, depending upon the relation of the cranks. i

During the operation of rolling the plates, sumcient pressure has beenapplied thereto and over a sufficiently wide area that the plates arecompressed to their center line and scale thereon is effectivelyloosened for removal. At thejsame time the rolling of the edges hasprovided substantially plane surfaces therefor, the length of the throwof the cranks i5 and the length of the crank arms I6 being so chosenthat the members 4 and 5 have rolled along a substantially straight'lineand provided substantially straight edges to the plate 42; The rollers 2and 3 permit longitudinal movement of the plate during rolling if suchmovement is necessary to adapt the plate to the movements of the members4 and 5.

When a new plate has been inserted between the members 4 and 5 whilethey are in positions corresponding to those of Fig. 9, the direction ofoperation of the rolling members 4 and 5 may be reversed by reversingtheir driving motors,fand the plate will be rolled in the directionopposite to that of the plate whose rolling has been previouslydescribed. If it is desired, however, all of the plates may be rolled inthe same direction,

although considerable time may be saved by reversing the operation foralternate plates. If the cranks i5 continue to rotate in the samedirections, the cycle described above will be repeated.

By the employment of rolling surfaces of curvature of the degreereferred to above, the contact arc between the rolling members and theplate or slab is sufliciently long that the penetration of thecompressive `effect to the center of the plate is assured. The faults ofthe ordinary rotary edger are thus avoided.

and laborinvolved All of the advantages of pressing the plates aresecured with the further advantage that the length of the plate that isengaged by the rolling members may be controlled in accordance withoperating requirements. While it has been found that if the length ofthe contact surface is at least equal to half the width of the plate,

the length of the contact arc may be varied substantially as desiredwithin certain limits by changing the arrangement of cranks and linkagefor connecting them to the rolling members.

Reference may now is illustrated a modified form of apparatus foraccomplishing substantially similar results. In this form of ourinvention two curved members 44 having rolling surfaces 45 that conformsubstantially to portions of materiallylarger rolls are each flexiblyconnected to a link 46 having a stationary pivotal support at one endthereof.

The members 44 operate to roll a. plate 42 when a` rollers 48 thatengage the carriage 41, having -concave rear surfaces of the members44,' is

drawn along longitudinally of the rolling members 44 to cause them toroll the plate to produce straight edges thereon in a manner similar to.

that described in connection with the preferred form of our invention.The spacing of the actuating rollers 48 for the rolling members 44provides that the latter will operate with a rolling or rocking effectupon the plate to be rolled. It

will be appreciated that the position of the rolling members isdependent upon the longitudinal position of the carriage 41 and theactuating` rollers carried thereby.

A second modification illustrated in Fig. 11 comprises apparatus inwhich substantially similar results may be obtained. Instead ofemploying rolling members that are substantially stationary with respectto longitudinal movement thereof, we provide curved rolling members 50that are adapted to be actuated longitudinally by means of pinions 5Iconnected to gear teeth 52 on the back portions of the rolling members,whereby both the latter and the plate 42 to be rolled are actuatedlongitudinally by the rolling members.

'Ihe advantages of machines constructed in accordance with our inventionare that plates may be rolled in .such manner as to cause the scale tobe loosened therefrom over the entire surfaces thereof by the employmentof means that are the equivalent of rolls of very large diameter. Therolling members, A suchv small portions of the cylindrical .'-rolls ofgreat diameter to which the rolling surfaces of the rolling membersconform that they Vmay be conveniently employed in a relatively simpleandy inexpensive machine. It will be appreciated that two rolls of suchunusually large diameters as those referred to above would occupyexcessive space and would require an amount of material that would be.out of proportion tothe uses for which they would be adapted.

The mechanical movements that have been provided for actuation of therolling members enable the latter to perform the functions of rollswithout providing a center aboutwhich the rolling members are actuated.:y

By' means of the apparatus :of the present invention we are able toentirely and conveniently remove the scale from plates and to providethem whereby the amount of time in such operations is kept at a minimumand the cost of the operation is prowith, straight edges portionatelyreduced.

however, constitute only be had to Fig. 10 in which plates, comprising aseries of power-driven rolls constituting atable for supporting a platetherefor simultaneously rolling' opposite edges of a plate to impartsubstantially plane surfaces'the'reto, said members being arcuate chordsections of rolls of relatively great diameter, and means lying wellwithin and considerably shorter than the radius of the curved surface ofeach member for rocking the members substantially about the radius ofthe surface.

2. A machine for descaling and edging metal.

plates, comprising a pair of members each having a portion ofsubstantially cylindrical contour adapted to engage with a side of aplate, and means for rocking' said members to cause said portionsvtoroll the edges of'said plate to impart substantially plane surfacesthereto, said means lying within the radius of the cylindrical contourbut operating to rock the members substantially about the radius of thecontour.

3. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates, comprising a memberat each side of a plate, each member constituting substantially a fellyportion oi' a cylinder of large diameter-whereby the curved surfaces ofthe members approch a straight line, and means substantially shorterthan the radius of the cylinder for causing said members to roll theedges of said plate in the manner of rolls of complete diameter.

4. A machine for descaling and edging metal on, a seriesof guiderolls-above said table, and means comprising a pair of rocking curvedmembers for rolling the edges of a plate on said table.

5. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates, comprising a memberfor engaging each side edge of a plate and having a curved portionconstituting substantially a portion of the surface of a cylinder oflarge diameter, and means for causing said members to roll the edges ofsaid plate in the manner of rolls of complete diameter, said meanscomprising a rotatable crank operatively connected to each end of eachof said members, and means for rotating said cranks.

6. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates, comprising a memberforengaging each side edge of a plate and having a curved portioncorresponding substantially to a portion of the surface of a cylinder oflarge diameter, and means for causing said members to roll the edges ofsaid plate in the manner of rolof complete diameter, said lmeanscomprising a rotatable crank operatively connected to each end of eachof said members, and means for rotating the cranks connected to the samemember in opposite directions.

'1. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates, comprising a memberfor` engaging each side edge of a plate and having a portion corre-`sponding substantially to a portion of the curved surface of a cylinderof large diameter, and means for causing said members to roll the edgesof said plate in the manner of rolls of complete diameter, said meanscomprising two rotatable spaced cranks respectively connected by linksto the ends of each of said members for successively actuating the endsof said members into and out of engagement with said plate, and meansfor simultaneously rotating all'of said cranks.

8. A machine for descaling and -edging metal plates, comprising a memberfor engaging each side edge of a plate and having an engagingporconnected to the respective ends of each of said members, the cranksof each pair being rotatable in opposite directions and having twocoincident positions during each complete rotation thereof and therebyactuating the ends of the member connected thereto successively intoengagement with the plate.

9. A machine for descaling and edgingmetal plates, comprising a memberat each side of a plate, each member corresponding substantially to anarcuate rim section of a cylinder of large diameter so that the curvedsurfaces of the members approach a straight line, and means for rockingthe members whilerestraining them from longitudinal movement and therebycausing them `to roll the edges of said plate into substantially planesurfaces.

10. A machine fer descaling relatively heavy metal plates, slabs, bloomsand the like comprising a member having an arcuate surface the curvatureof which corresponds to that of an arc of a circle of very largediameter, the radial depth of said member being relatively small, andactuating means for rocking said member to cause its arcuate surface to.roll along a substantially straight line, said means lying well withinthe radius of the'arcuate surface whereby the member simulates theaction of a very large roll without the space and weight requirementsthereof.

11. A machine for descaling relatively heavy metal plates, slabs,bloomsand the like comprising a member having an arcuate surface thecurvatu're of which corresponds to that of an arc of av circle of verylarge diameter, the radial depth of said member being relatively small,and actuating means of relatively short radial depth and positionedclose to -the member for rocking said member to cause its arcuatesurface to roll along a substantially straight line, said actuatingmeans comprising two rotatable elements having connections to saidmember that are angularly asynchronous. v

12. A machine for descaling relatively heavy metal plates, slabs, bloomsand the like comprising a-member having an arcuate surface the curvatureof which corresponds to that of an arc of a circle of very largediameter, the radial depth of said member being relatively small, andactuating means for rocking said member to cause its arcuate surface toroll along. a substantially straight line, said actuating meanscomprising two rotatable elements, cranks connected thereto that do notcoincide angularly and a link connected to each crank and the linksbeing connected to said member at pointssspaced circum- A ferentiallywith respect to said arcuate surface.

13. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates,comprising a memberat each side of a plate, each member constituting substantially anarcuate portion of a cylinder of large diameter,

14. A machine for descalng and edging metal plates, comprising a memberfor engaging eachv side of a plate and having a curved portionconstituting substantially a portion of the surface of a cylinder oflarge diameter, means for causing said members to roll the edges of saidplate in the manner of rolls of complete diameter, said means comprisinga rotatable crank operatively connected to each end of each of saidmembers, means for rotating said cranks, and means for varying thepositions of the cranks and said members to vary the distance betweenthe edges produced by said members.

15. A machine for descaling and edging metal plates, comprising a seriesof power-driven rolls constituting a table for supporting. a platethereon, a series of guide rolls above said table, means comprising apair of rocking curved members for rolling the edges -of a plate on saidtable, and means for adjusting the vertical position of said series ofguide rolls.

16. A machine for descaling and edging `metal plates, comprising amember at each side of a' plate, each member constituting substantiallya felly-like, arcuate portion of a cylinder of large diameter, aplurality of rotatable means engaging 'directly with but radially behindeach member for causing said members to roll the edges of said plate inthe manner of rolls of complete diameter, and means for synchronizingthe operation of said members.

17. Apparatus for edging metal plates, comprising a curved rockingmember of relatively long radius but short radial dimensions forimparting a substantially plane surface to an edge engaged thereby, arotatable element 'contacting behind the member, and means for effectingrelative movement between the member and the element.

18. Apparatus for edge straightening and descaling slabs and the likecomprising a pair of opv positely facing arcuate rim-like sections ofrolls of relatively great diameter, means for rocking the sectionsagainst opposite sides of a slab to descale and edge it, said meansbeing` positioned closely adjacent the sections but being ofconsiderably less radialsize than the radius of each arcuate section.

19. Apparatus for edge straightening and descaling slabs and the likecomprising a pair of oppositely facing arcuate rim-like sections ofrolls of relatively great diameter, means for rocking the sectionsagainst opposite sides of a slab to descale and edge it, said meansincluding a relatively short crank adjacent each end of each section,and a connecting rod securing each crank and the section.

' 20. Apparatus for edge straightening and descaling slabs and the likecomprising a pair of oppositely facing arcuate rim-like sections ofrolls of relatively great diameter, means for rocking the sectionsagainst opposite sides of a slab to descale and edge it, said meansincluding a carriage, a plurality of rollers journaled on the carriageand engaging behind each section, and mechanism for moving the carriageand the sections relative to each other to effect the rolling operationon the slab.

21. Apparatus for edge straightening and descaling slabs and the likecomprising a pair of oppositely facing arcuate rim-like sections ofrolls of relatively great diameter, means for rocking the sectionsagainst opposite sides of a slab to descale and edge it, said meansincluding a ra'ck on each member and gear wheels meshing with the rack.

KIRTLAND C. GARDNER. FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR.

